Lady Godiva (Doesn't) Ride Again  The play originally lined up for this slot was The Joy Ride by Georgina Reid, which had so many members of the cast drop out we had to abandon it completely. (But not before we’d taken some really embarrassing publicity photos that Ray would rather not have see the light of day!) And Ailsa was so looking forward to playing Lady Godiva! With only six weeks to go before we were on and only six acting members left we started rehearsing Quintet In A Flat. Val was the nominal director but everyone chipped in with ideas. It was pretty good for a play directed by a committee.

Was I In That One?  This was Ray’s first production proper after being cast in the aborted Joy Ride. Sharon joined after seeing our publicity display at Hull Film Theatre and was gobsmacked to be given such a large part first time round. It was also the start of a long relationship with Northern Theatre. Northern's director Richard Green had invited other local groups to use Studio2 but we were the only ones who responded. And we're glad we did, as Northern were extremely helpful and made us feel as if we were welcome, in contrast to the arrogance and disdain which was Hull Truck’s stock-in-trade.

My First Production by Sharon Rogers aged 24¼  I’d done some amateur dramatics at home in Leeds so I knew about hierarchies etc. and expected no different from groups in Hull. I decided to meet and potentially join the Chameleons (if they’d have me) after two weeks of plucking up courage to ring up and the fact that they rehearsed near to where I lived.
I was amazed at how friendly everyone was and impressed by the copious tea drinking (a quality close to my heart). On that first evening in early December ’88 they were reading a play to put on at the end of January ’89 – I was quite happily expecting to be asked to be assistant assistant assistant to the Chameleon mascot or, if I was lucky, kettle switcher on-er. I was stunned to be cast! (David said later they were just happy I could read and had all my limbs) I went home and had a panic – five in the cast so I had a large role, six weeks and I hadn’t done this for a few years and they all knew each other and I didn’t and there were only six weeks to go and there was Christmas in the middle and did I mention the only six weeks bit?
Anyway, I couldn’t have been made more at ease, everyone was extraordinarily welcoming and supportive. We had a fairly intensive rehearsal period but I enjoyed every minute of it. Put it this way, if I hadn’t I wouldn't still be here all these years later. (Oh, by the way, reader I married him!) Sharon

We Don't Want To Peak Too Early  During Act II, the cloyingly domesticated Ludmilla has to offer an irritable Vasya a nice cup of warm milk. But unfortunately, it hadn't been set. Improvising rapidly, Sharon offered David a nice.... bowl of warm sugar! No wonder he was irritated with her. Sharon wasn't having much luck with props as, later on, she was supposed to serve Ray some slices of cucumber but, unable find the knife, had to give him the whole cucumber on a plate. Trouper that he is, Ray tucked into it with gusto. Oh well, that's what dress rehearsals are for.

Who Ate All The Rissoles?  Who do you think? The ever-hungry Dave Barber! He ate the sausage, too. And the cheese. In fact he probably drank the cup of warm milk!

Quote, Unquote  A memorable experience. This production convinced us once and for all that we could do something other than the usual run-of-the-mill comedies.  But I'll never forget the night Sharon poked her head round the door at Lonsdale and said, "Is this where the Chameleon Players meet?" Love at first sight David
A significant production. The rebirth of the Chameleon Players Ailsa
A really happy time. Met my future wife and experienced the full horror of Dave Barber's vest! Ray
The canary, the sausage, the rissoles, the vest! Betty